Imagine a side dish so irresistible that it becomes the star of your holiday table - a perfect blend of sweet, savory, and crispy that will have your guests begging for seconds. This Cranberry Bacon Cornbread Stuffing is not just another boring stuffing recipe; it's a flavor explosion that transforms a traditional side into a culinary masterpiece. With crispy bacon, tangy cranberries, and perfectly seasoned cornbread, this dish bridges the gap between comfort food and gourmet cuisine.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 5 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 loaf cornbread, crumbled
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup cranberries, dried
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon sage
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
- In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp and golden brown. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels, then crumble into small pieces.
- In the same skillet with bacon drippings, sauté diced onions and celery until soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, crumble the cornbread into bite-sized pieces. Add crumbled bacon, dried cranberries, sautéed onions, and celery.
- Sprinkle sage, thyme, salt, and pepper over the mixture. Gently toss to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Slowly pour chicken broth over the cornbread mixture, stirring gently to moisten the bread without making it soggy. The mixture should be moist but not wet.
- Transfer the stuffing mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Cover with aluminum foil.
- Bake covered for 30 minutes, then remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes until the top is golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Tips
- Use day-old cornbread for the best texture - slightly dried out bread absorbs flavors better and prevents a mushy stuffing.
- Don't skip the bacon drippings! They add incredible depth of flavor to the vegetables and stuffing base.
- Be careful not to oversaturate the mixture with chicken broth - you want the stuffing moist but not soggy.
- For extra richness, consider adding a beaten egg to help bind the stuffing together.
- If you prefer a crispier top, broil the stuffing for 2-3 minutes at the end of cooking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Make ahead tip: You can prepare this stuffing a day in advance and refrigerate, then bake just before serving.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute bacon with smoked almonds and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 25mg
